Meggie can't stop thinking about “Inkheart,” the book whose characters came to life. Neither can Dustfinger, the fire-eater who was written into being. Dustfinger finds an unscrupulous storyteller to transport him back into the book — with devastating results. When Farid, his apprentice, and Meggie follow, the story threatens to unfold in ways they could scarcely imagine. This magical thriller blurs the line between fantasy and reality, demonstrating the unassailable power of the written word. Written by Cornelia Funke, it’s 656 pages and available in hardcover. New Line Cinema has hired director Iain Softley ("The Skeleton Key") to helm its big-screen adaptation of the best-selling children’s fantasy novel "Inkheart," it was announced on December 5, 2005, by New Line Production president Toby Emmerich.